DREAM | CREATE | SHARE

#BRAVEFORESTBRAVE | @BraveForestCreative

I love the hustle + bustle about the new years, new seasons, glitz + parties, self-reflection, and thoughtful intentions set with tactical resolve, that is the idea anyway. For most of my life, I have been an avid a list maker and organizer, but when it comes to setting goals, my palms get a little sweaty and butterflies soon ensue, getting a little dreamy-eyed about all the things I want to do, followed by a pinch of panic that I might fail to accomplish some of my newly set goals. So let’s do something a tiny bit different, something fun, even with a shred of failure or a deep plunge into it, we are still choosing to fail forward.

But First, a history lesson:

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, from the 1950s, made a unique observation in his practice of plastic surgery, it would take 21 days for patients to adjust to their new face, or stop sensing a phantom limb from amputation. He later published a blockbuster hit of a book, Psycho-Cybernetics, and one of his quotes became all the craze,

"These, and many other commonly observed phenomena tend to show that it requires a minimum of about 21 days for an old mental image to dissolve and a new one to jell."

There is one tiny/BIG problem, society eventually took out the “minimum of 21 days,” part, and rephrased, “It takes 21 days to form a new habit." Whoops! It is important to understand habit formation is different for every soul, and we wanted to emphasize the “minimum” part before we invited you to join us for our divine little challenge. Read more about habit formation Here. 

I have never believed you can only change or start a new habit during the New Year, I thought it best to be BRAVE and enter with an explosion of new creations, and I wanted to invite the world (that is you) to join me for 21 days at the hashtag, #BraveForestCreative + mention @BraveForestCreative, exploring something new, and starting down the path of forming a habit you might enjoy. We are taking on the minimum days of habit formation, so please feel to take it further if it tickles your fancy! 

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Self Create seemed fitting as this is about you and allows expansion in any capacity you desire! This means you can choose anything to work on for 21 days. I am kicking off my 21-day challenge Saturday, July 25th, 2020 and you may join me anytime you like; however, I vote right now!

So take a moment and think about what you want to explore, perhaps try your hand at a 15-minute watercolor session each day, wake up a little earlier and jot down your first thoughts of the day, add a little spinach to your diet, run for 10 minutes each day, embrace something that helps you relax, the possibilities are endless because you are infinite.

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I would love to see your progress |Please use the hashtag #BraveForesTBrave + Mention @braveforestcreative

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THERE MAY JUST BE SOMETHING SUPER SPECIAL FOR SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS!!!

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What am I doing you ask? I am trying my hand at baking, using a router, painting gigantic canvases where I have to use the entire motion of my arm to reach from end to end, making yummy + beautiful meals (hopefully), exploring new hiking spots, reading a delightful new book, photographing my passions for that particular day, and showing kindness to others as often as possible. It will all come together. I am not focusing on one thing, I want to explore various things, surprising myself and a getting out of my comfort zone for the next 21 days. 🥳

BEHIND BRAVE FOREST CREATIVE

I have realized I am capable of anything and what a wild epiphany that has been. I get to become something much bigger than myself and It is completely exhilarating to discover you are the only thing holding yourself back.

Getting out of your own way can knock the wind out of you, take your breath away, and encourage those little butterflies in your belly to keep right on dancing all at the same time. You are in charge of yourself, you get to make the decisions about how your day is going to go and what you are going to do when you wake each morning.

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“CREATIVITY IS INTELLIGENCE HAVING FUN.”

- Albert Einstein

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I am the founder of Brave Forest Creative, specializing in brand identity, web development, design, photography, and art direction. I love pushing the rules of design to create innovative, fresh, and beautiful work.

BRANDING | PHOTO | GRAPHIC DESIGN | WEB DESIGN | ART DIRECTION | SOCIAL

Brave Forest is a true culmination of various assets I have gathered since receiving my B.F.A. at the University of Utah. I was suddenly determined to fearlessly establish my own business that stayed true to me as a creator and entrepreneur.

Not only did this manifestation light a fire in my carrier ambitions, it rendered a mental shift in the way I work my body, stimulating a mental fierceness I had only dabbled in. My body suddenly wanted to start running up mountains, biking faster, swimming longer, and engaging in yoga poses with full integrity.

As I have started training for races and triathlons I have found myself enjoying longer workouts and runs I never thought I was capable of before. Someone gave me a great bit of advice, "keep to your mileage during training and it makes all the difference." Training became an anticipated highlight each day. My biking has strengthened my legs, making it easier to propel myself up mountains, and the constant running has built great cardio allowing me to swim longer in conjunction with my yoga practice.

I have never been interested in being the best at one thing, but have always been pretty good at various things. Why focus on one thing, when there are so many opportunities and diverse ways to play?

Simple Smoothie Hack

The clock is always ticking and let’s face it — no matter how much we wish we had an extra hour in our day, time is a stubborn soul. An extra hour would solve a lot of problems, but since time won’t give in, we have to rise to the occasion and use the hours we have wisely. A little food prep can save us many precious minutes down the road, minutes we can add to our workout, time with family and friends or cherished sleep.

In general, people try their hardest to eat better, but eating better requires more attention. This is why food prep can be a saving grace for those who don’t have much downtime during the week. We sing praises to the individual who decided preparing smoothies in advance was a good idea because it truly is! We would like to introduce you to the very simple Smoothie Prep Hack:

WHAT YOU NEED | Mason Jars or Freezer Bags, Knife, Cutting Board, Ingredients (see chart below for ideas)

GATHER INGREDIENTS | Check out this handy chart for ingredient ideas!

CHOP TIME | Once you have selected and acquired your ingredients, chop up larger fruits and vegetables. Most items do not need to be chopped because the blender will take care of it.

ADD INGREDIENTS TO THE MASON JAR | You are welcome to use a freezer baggie as well.

STORE MASON JARS IN FREEZER | Beware of how much freezer space you have available.

Doing the slicing and dicing once means you only have to drag everything out ONE time, YAY!! After it has had some time to freeze, pull one out and drop it straight into the blender. This would be the time to toss in your ADD-INS: Yogurt, Peanut Butter, Honey, etc.

Last, but not least, I wanted to you a share two of my fav smoothie recipes with you! Lucky You!!

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A Better Way to Look at Failure

Getting out of your own way can knock the wind out of you, take your breath away and encourage those little butterflies in your belly to keep right on dancing all at the same time. You are in charge of yourself, you get to make the decisions about how your day is going to go and what you are going to do when you wake each morning.

I have realized I am capable of anything and what a wild epiphany that has been. I get to become something much bigger than myself and It is completely exhilarating to discover you are the only thing holding yourself back.

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“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. ”

— Marianne Williamson

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The status quo is easy to maintain, just be who you were yesterday and the day before that. The truest way to live is to fight against your typical status quo, experiment and surprise yourself with thoughtful self-discovery. 

LOOK INSIDE YOURSELF

note:  Be kind during this process, you are not perfect and that is okay.

Be honest with what you see here. Address your deepest regrets head on, own the pain life has put in front of you and embrace your accomplishments.

1. Take all of your failures into your left hand and acknowledge them, mull over them in detail one last time.
2. Take all of your accomplishments into your right hand and observe what you did to succeed. Let go of your humility and perceive what you did to make something work. 
3. Rub both hands together like you are applying a lotion. 

Recognize your failures and accomplishments compliment one another and could not exist without the other. We fail forward. Each failure is an accomplishment, we learn by trial and error. Failing at something 37 times instigates the first 37 steps to a success. 

Once we learn to embrace the idea that failures can serve us, we can truly propel ourselves and attitude to the next level. I consider this way of thinking fundamental in the pursuit of dreams and overall happiness.  

Our failures don't hold us back, they are merely stepping stones to our best selves. I encourage people to fail fast so they can keep momentum in their overall progression. 

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THERE IS NOTHING HOLDING YOU BACK | MOVE FORWARD. 

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#BEYOU

Be yourself and your creativity will flow from a familiar place, a place you can recognize. It is wonderful to find inspiration in others, but the best part is to bring it back and make it your own.

Listen to yourself. #beyou

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A SENSE OF WONDER

For the first few months of our lives we are perfectly content being swaddled in the arms of our mother’s, then something happens, we begin to walk and this is where things really get interesting. It is mind blowing how quickly a tiny tot can conquer the vastness of a room, scale the bookshelf and snatch that irresistible, shiny object dangling high on the wall.  We were natural explorers, treasure seekers and aww gazers who most likely preferred to do all their expeditions and plundering in the nude (you know who you are). The truth is, we are perma-seekers and the tendency to run wild and free still pitter-patters in the hearts of us all, instigating a moment we have to see more, do more and feel more. Our sense of wonder instills an inclination to experience what is around the corner, to scribble your name in the sand, and try something out of your comfort zone. It makes us run faster, climb higher, and breathe deeper; a feeling only satiated through true adventure!

Adults are just big kids who sometimes forget to be fearless, who forget to dream and have forgotten what they wanted to be when they grow up. A fond flashback of our eight year old selves, full of fascination and intrigue; I was supposed to be the first woman president and am clearly off course, but my desires changed.  One thing we can embrace from our childhood is the ability to dream freely and openly, giving life to our natural sense of wonder we keep tucked snuggly inside ourselves. 

“Adults are just big kids who sometimes forget to be fearless.”

Listen to the amazing words of Dallas Clayton on discovering the childlike sense of wonder that may lay dormant in us! This is truly well worth your time! 

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PHOTOGRAPHY | BEEN + BEING

I am intrigued by two statements lately; first, poet and philosopher George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." It is most important to understand what has gone before us, to understand the functionality of our medium. Through this understanding, we may discover how to push the boundaries because without such a known history we would not know where the boundary is even located.  

Second, Pablo Picasso’s words, “good artists copy, great artists steal.” I feel both declarations are fundamental in the progression of photography or any school of thought if we are getting serious. Essentially, I feel both statements create the perfect union; we should understand our past, take it and make it our own. 

Photography is your own. The world has been seen in so many ways, but never before through MY eyes and through MY thoughts. I am not entirely sure how one knows when they have taken a great photograph, aside from the way you respond to your own image and eventually see how others respond to it as well. If you do not feel passionate about your work, how can you ever expect anyone else to feel passionate about it? Creation takes risks. It may make you feel uncomfortable and often times being uncomfortable can be an impetus for growth. Get uncomfortable and let yourself become what is unexpected for a moment. 

“Oftentimes being uncomfortable can be an impetus for growth.”

Photography is simple. I start shooting and keep shooting until it feels right and then move on once it does not feel right anymore. I photograph people being people, people marrying people, people in places, things on the side of the road, children laughing and children crying. I feel inspired to explore the crudeness of photographing in such unconventional ways by knowing Diane Arbus’s work. There is this richness of life or the lack of life in every corner. I respond to my environment and my environment responds in subtle ways back toward the camera.

Photography is limitless. We spend half our lives trying to define ourselves and the other half trying to live up to what we defined ourselves as, when in the end we could have had a full life just living and being. I am not saying do not examine your life, but definitions can set boundaries and limit us from achieving our full potential and to reach something never before obtained, we have to do extraordinary things. I do not believe we are solely defined by what we do, but how we choose to do it. As I continue with photography, more and more people want to know what kind of photographer I am. Do I shoot landscapes, families, weddings, or products? I just want to do it all, this way I do not feel limited in my options to live and do what feels right for myself. We must be willing to be taken places we never before dreamed we could go to find places we did not even know existed. 

 

“I do not believe we are solely defined by what we do, but how we choose to do it.”

Photography is beautiful. I can say this because beauty is indefinable, and undeniable in the eyes of those it plagues. The softness or harshness of the image may make someone cringe or tilt their head a little to the right, the way a concerned friend would do as you tell them about your dilapidated love life.  We all know we even love things we hate and can find beauty in uncommon things. Photography can make the acronym of the very word beautiful, beautiful and the reverse. We have to take from deep within ourselves, place what we found in front of us and photograph it. The world of photography is taking us places and wherever we are going, I will have my camera in tow. 

“We have to take from deep within ourselves, place what we found in front of us and photograph it.”

I am intrigued by two statements lately; first, poet and philosopher George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." It is most important to understand what has gone before us, to understand the functionality of our medium. Through this understanding, we may discover how to push the boundaries because without such a known history we would not know where the boundary is even located.  

Second, Pablo Picasso’s words, “good artists copy, great artists steal.” I feel both declarations are fundamental in the progression of photography or any school of thought if we are getting serious. Essentially, I feel both statements create the perfect union; we should understand our past, take it and make it our own. 

Photography is your own. The world has been seen in so many ways, but never before through MY eyes and through MY thoughts. I am not entirely sure how one knows when they have taken a great photograph, aside from the way you respond to your own image and eventually see how others respond to it as well. If you do not feel passionate about your work, how can you ever expect anyone else to feel passionate about it? Creation takes risks. It may make you feel uncomfortable and often times being uncomfortable can be an impetus for growth. Get uncomfortable and let yourself become what is unexpected for a moment. 

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15 TIPS TO PRODUCTIVIY

Everyone has a way of doing things and it either works or it doesn't. I think we can agree It is important to use your time wisely and effectively so you can get back to what is truly important, your quality of life. I wanted to give you a few reminders and suggestions to help you live more productively in business and body:

1. Get up earlier
2. Plan your day the night before
3. Write a To Do List
4. Stay organized | mess creates stress
5. Ruthlessly block out distractions
6. Group your interruptions
7. Work out | take numerous small walks
8. Capture your creative ideas
9. Learn from others
10. Think positive
11. Work in blocks
12. Set a time limit on meetings
13. Set a time limit on projects
14. Get rid of unhelpful tools 
15. Use technology

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THE ESSENTIAL CAMERA BAG

Over the years you get burned a few times and then you have no choice but to smarten up and hold true to the boy scout motto, "ALWAYS BE PREPARED." Not to say you are not already a smarty-pants, but I know I have definitely had to learn from a few first hand mistakes of my own. I wanted to share a sneak peak into my bag and give you a glimpse at what I consider my essentials to avoid surprises.

The list below should help you have everything you need if backed into a tight corner, assure enough space for images, and allow you to backup your images immediately so they are safely stored in at least two places at all times while you travel. 

WHAT IS IN MY BAG? 

• Canon Mark IV 5D

• Canon 50mm fixed

• Canon 16-35mm | Great for tight spaces

• Canon 70-200mm | Great for distance

• 2 Fully charged Camera batteries + Charger

• 4-8 Memory Cards| good range (3) 4GB | (5) 8GB | (4) 16GB | (3) 32GB Cards

  • Small to ensure the event is on more than one card

  • Large to ensure you have enough space for video

• Memory Card Wallet | I recommend Think Tank

• Lens Cleaner + Wipe

• Card Reader | for both SD and Compact flash

• External Hard-drive | At least 500 GB (truly recommend at least 1TB)

• Laptop

• Tripod | Manfrotto is my favorite thus far | For travel I love the Manffroto lightweight tripod

• Pen + Paper + Black Sharpie

• Snacks | I get hungry often and your client might as well | Check out Honey Stinger Waffles

• Water | Snag a REUSEABLE bottle you love | My favorite bottles are Simple Modern

• Chapstick | Model may need some | Keep it simple, I recommend Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer

• Flash Drive | Just a small 8GB - 32GB to run a print if needed

• Batteries | Carry 2x the amount you may need for your hardware

• Phone Charger

• Camera Bag

  • I recommend something with optimal protection; however, discrete enough not to scream, "I AM A CAMERA BAG, HEAR ME ROAR." I typically travel with two bags, a larger pack to host all of my gear for major travel and a small companion bag to stow my camera and favorite lens, leaving a little extra room for cards, ID and cash. I can then come back to home base and download images to both my laptop and external drive so they are securely saved in two places. I can either clear cards for the following outing or if I want the extra security, I can bring extra cards and leave images on both my cards and drive. 

    • Large Pack | Holdland Packs

    • Medium Over the Shoulder | Peak Tote

    • Small Over the Shoulder | Peak Sling

    • Small Pouch | Peak Field Pouch

    • Small Purse| Porteen Bag | Custom Handmade Leather Bags

Let me know if you have any questions. 

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10 TRICKS TO UNLOCKING PINTEREST

Guest Post | Mandy Booth a.k.a. PIGEON HOUSE DESGIN

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Most social media platforms can be daunting at first, people lose initiative due to confusion and frustration. Learning to navigate a new space can be intimidating, and unfortunately most platforms do not come with an instant success button. Many people have to work hard to get where they are in these spaces, and along they way, have discovered the tricks to growth. I asked my good friend Mandy Booth, know as Pigeonh0use on Pinterest, to share some of here secrets to success. Here are Pigeonh0use's 10 Tricks to Unlocking Pinterest. 

Pin Regularly - If you pin consistently people will recognize you and your aesthetic. You can even develop personal connections with strangers who identify with your taste. 

Reply to Comments - Remember to check your notifications and stay up to date on posts and conversation threads. Comments aren't as popular on Pinterest as other social media platforms, but taking the time to communicate via comments/messages makes it a more fun and social experience. 

Personalize Pins - If you pinned a recipe or tutorial and loved it, pin it again with a description about how much you loved it and why. Things pinned with good testimonials and comments get repinned MORE! 

Pin Pretty - I only publicly pin things I find pretty. The recipe could sound amazing, but if the photo sucks, I pin it on a private board. Everything you pin is visible to followers and is a reflection of your taste and interests. Secret boards are awesome! No one needs to know you have a whole board dedicated to ugly (but delicious) desserts. 

Pin with People - Combine forces and collaborate. These are some of my favorite boards. Invite fellow pinners to participate on specific boards. This way you are getting inspiration from someone other than yourself, and you all have different followers that you now get to share things with. 

Pin to Your Strengths - If you are trying to get more followers, look at which of your boards has the strongest following. For some reason my food boards have 10,000+ more followers than any of my art boards. So when I pin, I keep in mind that people who follow me love my food pins, and I try to pin to those boards regularly. 

Follow Smart - Do not just follow everybody and their dog that is following you. I follow people I know, people who pin the coolest shit, and people who follow me that have a strong following (that also pin the coolest shit). 

Pin Actively - Do not just pin things on Pinterest. Use it for the tool it is! Pinterest really is just a fancy bookmarking site. You are pinning these things to reference. If you are on a site with an adorable jacket that has you drooling, pin it to your wish list board. I look through my boards to find things I lost on the internet all the time. Also, pin your original work too! Share blog posts, recipes, tutorials, photos, and art work. Get your name out there. People will follow you if they like what you are bringing to the table. 

Pin for Inspiration - I am constantly referring to Pinterest for inspiration. It's a visual collection of things you love! Don't pin it and forget it. Save some internet search time and use your boards as a visual catalog to store beautiful ideas. 

Share your Pins - Put your favorite pins on Facebook, blogs, etc. It is all tied together. Be sure not to overwhelm people with your pins, just highlight the most important ones to allow them to stand out. 

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FIND YOUR VOICE | A SOCIAL MEDIA RECIPE

Communication comes in many forms, and you get to choose how you want to share your thoughts and ideas. Some people dive into Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. etc. I believe a mixed cocktail of social media is key. I am going to let you in on my little social media recipe:

Facebook | Post once a day in the morning to be get the biggest bang for your buck. The earlier you get eyes and likes on it, the further your message can travel.

Blog Post | Post 2-3 times per week. 

1. Recurring Theme - Create one no brainer post, something you can always supply and supply quickly. For example, Tunes Tuesday. Create a space your readers can depend on. With Tunes Tuesday, people know they can count on a fantastic new song each week on Tuesdays. This is easy and keeps a simple presence. 
2. Be a Source - Give people something valuable. Create content readers will come back to more often than once a week. Become an expert in your niche and figure out how to share your experience. 
3. Wild Post - Posting twice is a beautiful thing in my opinion, but a third post can be a wild card. It can be another expert post, or random thought you just had to address. It is fun to surprise your readers.

Instagram | Post 1-2 times each day, possibly three if it is extra special. Space out your posts, allowing up to three hours between images. People do not like to be overwhelmed, especially by redundant content. Tweens can get away with posting like mad, but an older generation will most likely be get annoyed. I have loads of fantastic Instagram Tips in another blog post, getting into the nitty gritty, you can read it HERE. Learn how to keep a fresh feed your audience will want to come back to again and again. 

Pinterest | Be sure to Pin regularly where, unlike Instagram, you can pin as often as you like. All of your social platforms should have a genuine aesthetic, so be sure to create a standard for your board, and pin eye catching material that keeps a good flow to your page. Pinterest is more than a social media channel, it is a tool. You should definitely take a peak at a special guest post by Mandy Booth | @pigeonh0use, and learn 10 phenomenal tricks to unlocking Pinterest. 

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29 IDEAS TO MOVE PAST WRITER'S BLOCK

I will be the first to admit blogging is not my strong suit. I have extravagant dreams of free-flowing words and giddy fingers springing across my keyboard into all hours of the night, but rare is the occasion this happens.

REALITY CHECK | Social media in general is a hot mess for me sometimes. Some days I work it like the boss I am and other days I have to find the will to make a simple post on Instagram.

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. 

Finding inspiration can also be a real pain. I hope you have read my previous post, USING LIFE ESSENTIALS TO CREATE, so you can be open to your creativity. This particular post addresses the mental block we can all find ourselves in. If blogging is your thing, you probably know what I am talking about. There is an entire world of information and copious amounts of topics floating around, but for some reason we can still get stuck. I thought I would supply you with a little list of ideas to get you going:

1. Get out and move - ideas flow when you move. 
2. Eat something incredibly yummy and enjoyable, then share it. 
3. Take a power nap and get back at it. 
4. Jump on Pinterest and look at wonderful things that inspire you.
5. Phone a friend and chat.
6. Pick a topic you are interested in learning about. Share your discoveries.
7. Consider what you are reading or have read recently. 
8. Look at other bloggers or writings you are inspired or offended by. 
9. Listen to some good tunes. Share your favorite tune with your readers.
10. Photograph things around you, use the images and write about them. 
11. Tell us about your latest trip or adventure. 
12. What is a recent failure? 
13. What is a recent triumph? 
14. What are you interested in trying next?
15. Talk about how what is different about you from 10 years ago. 
16. Describe a surreal moment you have experienced. 
17. Tell your readers about your first kiss or an awkward date story.
18. Share your thoughts on a current event. 
19. Open up about serious issues we are dealing with as a nation. 
20. What are your thoughts on gun control? 
21. Show me how to make something cool. 
22. Share your expert skill set. Teach us how to do something within that set of skills.  
23. Challenge yourself and then challenge your reader. 
24. Tell us something that made you feel brave. 
25. Tell us about an influential person in your life.
26. Share something you don't generally talk about because it is embarrassing. 
27. Figure out how to be funny. 
28. Find great image and create a discussion around it. 
29. Talk about your pet or your tiny human.
30. Walk away for the day, get outside and come back to it later. 

BOOM!!! #getafterit

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5 METHODS TO TAMING SOCIAL MEDIA MADNESS

Social Media platforms can be a tad on the overwhelming side. I swear there are new venues popping up every other day and deciding which is best for you can be an undertaking. The following tips are designed to make things slightly easier for you. 

When you manage a brand, a social media presence is necessary and is most likely a source of brand discovery and inquiry of your services. I definitely get inundated by social media and excessive screen exposure can cause an ample amount of frustration in my book. This frustration can cause me to take a longer hiatus from my devices than I should. It may be what is best for me, but NOT my brand. To avoid this social media melt down, I have developed a little method to address or deal with the madness and am happy to share it with you:

1. Enjoy | Pick platforms you actually enjoy. You will be spending time there so make it a space you can get on board with and hopefully be inspired by in return. 
2. Pick Your Platforms | Pick 3 platforms to focus your time and energy on. There are countless social spaces available and you DO NOT have to do all of them to be successful. Pick a handful and devote a specified amount of time each day to these spaces and then be done with it. Get back to life.
3. Plan in Advance | Create a social calendar each week or even better, each month, so you are not waking up every morning and repeatedly wasting your precious time thinking about what you are going to post and where. The further in advance you can plan things the better off you will be. 
4. Pre-load | Pre-load images to your phone the week you are posting. I call this social media inoculation, it prevents all the back and forth from computer to device each day. Pick your images every Saturday or Sunday evening for the following week, or gather 30 images you know you want to rock somehow and they will be ready for use when you see a good opportunity. Naturally, you can stray from your plan if something unexpected happens and you need to share it. This tactic will allow you to experience life vs. contemplating your next post. 
5. Social Media Cocktail | Once you have picked your platforms I highly recommend getting to know them well enough to not overwhelm yourself or your audience. I address the perfect Social Media Cocktail in another post which you can find HERE.

Social Media is the electronic city that NEVER sleeps. Do not let social media own you, YOU OWN IT. If you remember the advice above it will hopefully simplify the task at hand for you and yours. 

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USING LIFE ESSENTIALS TO CREATE

Whenever I approach any problem I stop and ask myself three things:

1. Have I slept?

2. Have I eaten lately?

3. Have I moved my body today?

If the answer to any of these questions is “No” I address it and get back to the matter at hand. I know myself and I know these simple life essentials are my foundation and the way I handle anything can be solely determined by how recent my last snack was. The day to day challenges, simple or difficult, are best accomplished with a receptive frame of mind.  It is important to remember how basic our bodies truly are and I mean ABCs basic. We need a few crucial elements to subsist; however,  we shouldn’t merely just survive, we should thrive.

Naturally, life can be complicated, so let’s break down the fundamentals of maintaining ourselves. Our bodies are the vessels in which we experience the world and when we run on empty, the tool doesn’t work as effectively.  I am going to provide you with a few easy tricks to recharge, focus and maintain your energy.

HANGRY | being angry in the absence of food.

I never leave home without a meal bar in my bag because I know how quickly I can turn into a grumpy Gus (to put it lightly) when I am hungry. Blood sugar can drop at any moment and for myself, this is a very serious issue. Oddly enough, many people do not associate their irritable behavior with a necessary blood sugar boost. Hanger is a VERY real thing. Be an adult and eat something, and eat frequently. Here a few solutions to Hanger:

Bar Box | Toss in an assortment of healthy goodies you know you will be happy to devour in a cute, accessible container. Replenish supplies each time your stock is low. ALWAYS have one of these puppies in your daily travel bag. In fact, if you want to be the bell of the ball, carry 2-3 bars in your bag and share one with a friend or co-worker you are meeting with; most likely, they need a spike too. I promise your ideas will flow more smoothly with a little sustenance in your belly.

Carry Water | Snag a few water bottles you find irresistible, drink up, and refill, refill, refill. Loads of people mistake hunger with dehydration. Duh, snack often, but drink even more. Even if you have the world’s tiniest bladder and will need to pee 98 times in the next hour (a.k.a. me). Water is essential for the proper circulation of nutrients in the body and for this to happen, we have to stay hydrated. Water is by far my favorite beverage, but if you find it hard to swallow (see what I did there) add a little zest of lemon, lime or orange. Here are a few suggestions to help you remember to drink more water during your day.

• If you have a problem drinking water from the tap, invest in a water filter.

• Use an app that will remind you when it is time to drink.

• Find a couple of water bottles you fall madly in love with and make them another appendage. Wherever you go, your water bottle joins you.

• Whenever you get up from your desk, take a drink. Whenever you sit back down, take a drink. This will become a habit faster than you think.

• Workout with your water bottle nearby and take a swig between each interval.

• Always order a glass of water when you eat out. You can order other beverages but focus on your water as well. A rule of thumb is a 2:1 ratio. Drink two glasses of water for each glass of soda or other beverages.

• Make it a goal to finish your entire glass of water at each meal.

• Take a drink of water every time you are stuck at a red light.

• Never enter a meeting without your water bottle.

• Make it a drinking game and pick a common word or phrase you hear in your workplace and take a swig of water each time you hear the word or phrase.

Nut Bowl | Get one adorable bowl (medium to large) and fill it with an assortment of nuts. Hit up the nut aisle in your favorite grocery store (shop local) and make like your merry neighborhood squirrel.

Suggestions: Raw almonds (unsalted) | Sunflower Seeds | Cashews | Dark Chocolate-Covered Almonds | Peanut Butter filled Pretzels | Mini Peanut Butter Cups | Dark Chocolate Chunks for good measure.

The key to making a good mix is to make it an assortment you will want to sink your hands into ALL long day. Put it near your desk, coffee table or kitchen table (you get the idea) and snag a handful each time you pass. These little guys can supply you with a significant amount of energy.

HIBERNATION | Sleep is a biggie for me and I have struggled with sleep since I was a tiny tot. I have tried a ridiculous amount of remedies over the years but to each their own sometimes. Sleep is such an interesting little beast, and you can google the hell out of it, read one article and find completely contradicting information in the next. I find sleep is personal and tailored to the individual. Yes, we feel pressure to sleep when it is "time to sleep" and most of us follow work schedules or have children who rule this realm. I am not here to tell you when or how to sleep, but how to USE sleep. But, first a little history:

Eight Hour Sleep Myth | I have researched sleep an odd amount and I stumbled upon this sobering little article last year that drastically challenged my perspective on sleep. Psychiatrist Thomas Wehr conducted various fascinating sleep experiments in the early 1990s. (find more info HERE). I was extremely interested in his discovery of humans sleeping in two distinct segments during the night. Wehr's book, "At Day's Close: Night in Times Past," unearths 500+ references to segmented sleep patterns from diaries, medical books, and various pieces of literature. The subjects describe a first sleep which began about two hours after dusk, followed by a waking period of one to two hours and then a second sleep. People were very active during this waking period, they read, smoked their pipe, visited neighbors, chatted with bed-fellows or had sex. This sleep cycle went to war with its newest nemesis, the light bulb. That's right, that pesky artificial light made it possible to have some serious luminance upon demand any time of day for basically as long as you like. This initiated major changes in the sleep world. MIND BLOWIN. Now, how do you USE this life-shattering (possibly being a teeny bit dramatic here) information?

Between Sleep Stage | I don't know about you, but this changed my outlook on sleep substantially. It was suddenly okay to get up in the middle of the night and be extremely creative and use my time wisely before I felt a wave of drowsiness again. If this is your problem, use that time to get up and get something done instead of laying in bed wishing you were asleep.

The Power Nap | I get sleepy around 3 pm every day; it is like clockwork. So, I allow myself to curl up in a comfy space and take a power nap. A power nap should be 15 min. I sometimes let myself take a longer nap depending on the amount of sleep I got the night before. Do not be ashamed of napping, it is NOT just for kids. Then again, don't lose control and sleep for too long either. However, I had a roommate who worked all night because that is when her body and mind were thriving, and she slept well into the afternoon. Note: she does not have a corporate job or children. Just two obscenely snuggly dogs who like to sleep all the time anyway, so crazy long naps work for them. This is not an exact science, find what works for you and go for it! I am not an expert, but sleep when you can, not just when you have to.

GET OUT AND MOVE | Staring endlessly at a computer screen can be a soul suck and getting outside into some sunshine does the body and soul a lot of good. Think of yourself as a little Walle who cannot function without the power of the sun. Then toss in some movement. Here are a few suggestions to help you move daily:

Schedule It - Decide to move ahead of time. Put it on your calendar and go for it. Generally, if we think we will just fit it in someplace it will be the first thing to take a back burner.

Phone a Friend - I enjoy some solid alone time, but it is good to have someone else hold you accountable. I started making day playing plans with close friends to catch up and bounce ideas off of trusted buddies while we hiked, biked, rollerbladed etc. etc.. It doesn't matter what you do, just get out.  Move your body for at least 30+ min. each day. Get your heart pumping and endorphins flowing and you can be one of the happiest campers out there.

Reminder: Replenish your body with some solid calories and a good hydrating beverage DURING and AFTER your workout.

Meet on the Trail - Instead of having another meeting in the office, over Skype or via telephone, decide to meet on the trail. You don't have to climb a mountain, but I promise your thoughts move as you move. Those happy little endorphins wake up the brain and we all need our brains in tip-top shape when we are formulating ideas and solutions.

Movement is Movement - If you cannot get out, stay home and move. Do laundry, fold clothes, organize your desk, do the dishes, vacuum, sweep or make a meal from scratch. Putting your thoughts in congruence with movement can break your typical boundaries of creation, and push your thought process further. I do various menial things while I listen to TED Talks because I learned long ago, my mind retains information via movement.

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IN REVIEW | Eat and Drink Often, Move Daily and Sleep Well. 

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9 TIPS TO A BETTER INSTAGRAM

As designer, I have a few pet peeves and one of them is a messy workspace, that includes a messy IG feed. How can an IG feed be messy you ask? Well my dear friend, there are many ways; however, instead of focusing on the negative, let's talk about how to do it right.  

If you are just on IG to show your latest adventure don't be too harsh on yourself, but if you are attempting to share personal work for the world to see, not only that, a potential client, you want your feed to look brilliant and unified. Here are a few Tips and Tricks to keep in mind. 

1. STYLE + APPEAL

You will have to make a few decisions ahead of time, mainly LAYOUT and how you want your overall feed to look and feel. Be consistent from the beginning and people will see you know what you are doing. In my own opinion, the two examples below work well. Remember you are creating a cohesive feed, not just posting individual pieces to a random puzzle. Think of your feed as a living, breathing creature that should captivate anyone who stumbles onto it.

- BOTH WORK WELL BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSISTENT -

FULL SQUARES THROUGHOUT FEED

 BOARDERS AROUND EACH IMAGE

2. POST THOUGHTFULLY

What does your feed currently look like? What did you recently post? Consider the image you are selecting, and how it will jive with the other images you have already posted near it. Do the colors flow? Is there two much of a one thing, even if it is a good thing? I loooove dogs, but if your account is not all about the paws, you probably shouldn't have three posts of your dog in a row, no matter how adorable the little fur beast is. 

3. MIX UP CONTENT

Definitely show off your own work, but find complimentary images by fellow Instagrammers that may inspire you and elevate your brand. Share quotes that resonate with you. Here is a good example of using cohesive images that have a similar feel, pushing your brand identity further. 

I adore the objective behind Darling Magazine and hope you check them out. 

Naturally, I adore this handsome pup with those "puppy dog eyes" and dry sense of humor. 

I was immediately drawn to this kickass image. I posted it and gave credit to the creator. 

4. BE AUTHENTIC

People generally like people, and they like to know the person behind the feed is an actual person with real joys and real problems. Naturally you can express yourself through the imagery you share, but you can also share your thoughts in the caption, people may relate to your words and decide to follow you. Maybe you talk about the work you created, explain the process, give us a glimpse into how hard it was and how happy you are to share it now.  Even clients respect someone who works hard and shares successes and failures. Makes it interesting. 

I posted about my much needed Hiatus from all things social for a bit. And it was nice to get it out there, and let people know I was back at it again. 

5. GIVE CREDIT

If you decide to share someone else's delightful image, be sure to give credit where credit is due. I snagged the image above from one of my very talented gal pals, Jessica Peterson, and I did mention her in the caption. To mention someone, snag their attention, or invite someone to see something you thought was the cat's meow, use the @mention. Place "@" in front of the username you are giving credit to or calling to action. You can also tag people in the image. Regardless, one option should be used. Both are ideal. 

6. COLLABORATION 

If you want to get eyes on your feed, get in contact with a friend that maybe already has a significant following and see if you can get them to @mention you in the caption or tag for your contribution. I am all about trade. Sometimes I offer to do a photo shoot for someone with a larger following and just ask they aim the credit my way. You could also just get crafty together and both of you share the credit. But, don't just call up a random friend who has had some IG success and ask them to do you a solid for nada. That is bad form, IG can be a business, and be aware of what is important to them and their feed. Ask how you could help out or if you have anything you could trade. Maybe that trade is just silly ole cash money. 

7. SPEND THE TIME

Now you have started posting relevant images to your feed, and it is looking glorious, and you just want people to see your cute feed. How do you get people there? You can go the collaboration route, but you can also just set aside 15-20 minutes a day where you get in the heart of IG and find feeds you like, and actually "like" or "Heart" someone else's images. They are notified when someone likes their image, maybe they will return the favor. Perhaps you love their feed so much you "FOLLOW" them. This is great, you are engaging in your community. Who knows maybe they will follow you back. 

Another great tip is to jump on the feed of another person or company who has similar content and values, click on their most recently posted image. View the people who have liked the image, the most recent "likers" are probably still online, so get to their feed and engage with. "Like" 3-5 images and they will probably check you out while they are still online. You know they already follow the feed you found them on, so chances are, they might give you a follow as well.

I want you to sit down an put on your thinking cap, let's get down to the nitty gritty. What kind of feed are you creating? Who is your target demographic? Maybe you shoot weddings, so search #engagements and go like 50 photos under that #hashtag because those are potential clients, the people who just announced on IG, they are engaged! Perhaps you sell custom vintage bags, find your favorite stores that you think should be selling your bags and take a look at their followers. Get in there and follow their followers. Most likely they will already like your style because they like the store you think your bags should be in. Starting to make some sense? 

8. TIMING

Don't get on IG and go post happy, posting everything you have right off the bat. People really hate that, they do not want to see you in their newsfeed all day long, maybe just once or twice a day. Space out your posts, try to allow 3-6 hours between posts. I understand there will be times when you just need to post a few images in a row because whatever is happening is just that cool. But it is rare, so be cautious, or you could lose followers for over-posting. 

9. BE CONSISTENT

If you build it, they will come. If you neglect what you build for weeks on end, people forget you exist and the hype falls into a hole of sludgy despair. When people come to your feed and see new content on the daily, they will most likely return. If they visit and see your last post was 3 weeks ago, you are dead to them, Until you start posting again and that post slithers down their IG feed, they may start to remember who you are. The best thing to do, is to just post consistently. Every day if you can, twice a day if you have a reason. If posting daily is the hardest thing for you, get in there every other day or every three days. If you show dedication to your feed and community, it will grow. 

BONUS. HAVE FUN

Don't take yourself to seriously, and enjoy the journey. Don't compare yourself to everyone else, your life and product are important too. 

- HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER -

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